Comments on Diary of a Modern Matriarch: What's one more, right?

just want you to know i now hate you, i am current...

2009-11-03T15:47:34.819-05:00

just want you to know i now hate you, i am currently on that site looking for bulldogs in my area and want to save them alll......damn YOU !!!

You already know what I think of adopting animals ...

2009-11-03T15:19:00.288-05:00

You already know what I think of adopting animals in need BUT yes there is a but.Two dogs are twice the work same as two kids. Also Terrier mixes are really high energy and a bit crazy. I'm not sure if Phoebe would like that much excitement. Also the kids may not enjoy a nippy puppy right now. I don't want to see your heart broken again when a new animal doesn't work out. Do more research and then make an informed decision about another dog or cat that will get along with Phoebe and Cronie

I know it's already been decided for you, but I wo...

2009-11-03T13:04:53.479-05:00

I know it's already been decided for you, but I would've taken the dog. I've had two dogs for as long as I can remember and the last year without ANY dogs has been hard.

Hey Andreanna! I'm a friend of Brian's. :) YinYen ...

2009-11-03T10:56:28.589-05:00

Hey Andreanna! I'm a friend of Brian's. :) YinYen is super cute! Bri told me that he chatted with you on this. I volunteer for a rescue called Thunder's Angels (www.helpsaveme.org). They are on Petfinder also. Since the pup is being fostered, you can get more info on her through the foster family, and maybe they'll even let you do a trial period to see how the puppy is adjusting with you dog before permanent adoption. Another thing you could consider if they don't allow that is to start as a foster family. That way, if the pup/dog doesn't work out then they will be adopted by another family and still be safe, and if she/he does fit in with your family, then you can adopt the dog yourself. I adopted my foster dog a few months ago. My first dog (who was also a rescue) is still warming up to him because he's still a puppy, but they are fine together. If you're not sure if you are ready for puppy -training again, you can consider adopting a dog that is 1-2 years old (there are so many). That way they are still young and have lots of energy for the kids and Phoebe, but will be partially or fully trained. If you see any dogs you'd be interested in on the website above, we have meet and greets where you can come to meet them with the children, and I can help with transports, since you're an hour away from Philly. I think that there is always an adjustment period for the dogs, but they should be fine in the end. They like having company and being part of a pack. :) If you have any questions I'd be happy to talk more about it with you! Thank you for opening your home and heart to a new deserving pup and saving a life! I know he/she will be in good hands, as Brian is always telling me what a wonderful mom you are! :) Melissa

You of course know that we had to give Charlie awa...

2009-11-03T10:26:03.699-05:00

You of course know that we had to give Charlie away, but that had nothing to do with how Laney and Charlie got along. I do think Laney learned to love Charlie and enjoyed playing with him, but she definitely loves being the only dog. Having had Phoebe for a week I can tell you that she played some with Laney, but I got the impression that she missed being the only dog around. I know it is a little different because she wasn't at her house, but I don't think Phoebe is lonely at all. Even if you find a perfect match for Phoebe and for your house and family it is harder with two dogs. It is really hard when you go away. Things get expensive too. Don't get me wrong I think about getting another dog too, but it would be for me because Laney seems completely happy being the only dog in our family.

Just my experience - My first dog HATED when we b...

2009-11-03T10:09:36.400-05:00

Just my experience - My first dog HATED when we brought the puppy in because she wanted to play all the time and would not leave her alone. I swear the first dog went through depression. And, our first dog was a malti-poo and the second was a rat terrier mix and I wanted to KILL the rat terrier all the time. They jump HIGH and bounce around on everything...that dog would litterally bounce onto the tables, etc. And it was basically like re-potty training them both because when the first dog saw the second dog making messes in the house she seemed to think it was carte blanche to go ahead and start doing it to. Ugh. Needless to say, the second dog went to live with one of my son's friends and is happy as a clam in a one dog home.

Just my experience - My first dog HATED when we b...

2009-11-03T10:09:35.843-05:00

There is always room for one more, right?

2009-11-03T09:56:39.074-05:00

There is always room for one more, right?

Is there any way you can have Phoebe "meet" her fi...

2009-11-03T09:55:29.253-05:00

Is there any way you can have Phoebe "meet" her first? A lot of times two females (or two males) don't get along, and the last thing you need is two dogs who hate each other. She is freakin cute though!

We have two doggies (both terrier mixes who until ...

2009-11-03T09:40:54.496-05:00

We have two doggies (both terrier mixes who until they got a bit older are WILD FREAKS!) and two kids. I often wish we had one or no dogs because they drive me nuts but I know that if something happens to either dog my heart will break into a bazillion pieces. I love those two wild beasts. And while they do not really like one another that much I am glad they have one another especially on days when we are busy or things are crazy in our lives (parties and new babies, etc...) I say fill out the app and see what happens and be ready for the stinky dirty dogginess as well as love and licks and your kids enjoying wee pups all the time!

I have always had at least three dogs at a time. I...

2009-11-03T08:58:31.352-05:00

I have always had at least three dogs at a time. I think dogs just do better in packs. It's easier to housebreak a second dog than a first, but be forewarned that puppies are SO MUCH TROUBLE. I had forgotten that part of ownership.. The destroyed belongings, the accidents, the sleep training..

But I wouldn't trade it.

If you all are okay with it, and your dog will be ...

2009-11-03T08:55:00.371-05:00

If you all are okay with it, and your dog will be okay with, I see no reason not too.

Being she is rescue, should it not work out, you have return it to the rescue, right?

We are rescue owners too and would go no other route. We've contemplated getting another boxer throughout the years. We opted against it because our dog definitely likes to be the only dog in the house. Had she not, we may have done it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I am an animal person. I love our two cats and a ...

2009-11-03T08:43:44.580-05:00

I am an animal person. I love our two cats and a dog. I think that Ross would basically freak out for a good two weeks if we got another dog - but I also think Mandy could use the company. I always say the more the merrier.

I never had pets growing up. Fish don't count as ...

2009-11-03T08:31:07.674-05:00

I never had pets growing up. Fish don't count as pets. So now we have 3 cats and I would have more. We're going to get a dog, eventually. But it's so hard to know if getting more is the right thing. I've been fortunate that the 3 cats get along (I mean, Lira hisses and growls at Sheldon and Leonard but she pretty much tolerates them) and the kids love them all. I can't guarantee that adding a dog or another cat would work out that well for us.
Phoebe is such a good dog and I'm sure she'd love a playmate. I say go for it. :)

I think it's a fine idea to get a second dog, but ...

2009-11-03T08:28:08.801-05:00

I think it's a fine idea to get a second dog, but do your research like you did with Phoebe. Find out if Phoebe's bread is better with dogs their own size or smaller dogs. Also the kids could much more easily hurt a small dog without realizing it, especially if they've gotten used to dogs Phoebe's size. Just take your time and you'll find the right one.

My brother was in the same situation just a few mo...

2009-11-03T08:18:14.673-05:00

My brother was in the same situation just a few months back and he adopted. I wouldn't say he regrets getting Lola, the second puppy, but she's made life harder, especially while traveling. He had a problem with the older dog getting upset when the puppy wanted to play all of the time, he forgot how hard it was to house train the puppy. He's had a lot of problems but then he truly loves the dog so good luck!